NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 GMC Yukon Safety Ratings
The 2021 GMC Yukon scores 68 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Below Average), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 13 recalls, and 289 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 GMC Yukon's safety profile is significantly affected by its defect record. With 13 recall campaigns, this model year presents a notable concern for prospective owners. This record contributes to a NHTSA Safety Index of 68/100, placing the vehicle in the Below Average band. While its crash-test performance is otherwise passable, the volume of recalls warrants careful consideration.
The 2021 GMC Yukon received a NHTSA Safety Index of 68 out of 100 and a 3-star NHTSA rollover rating, based on federal NHTSA crash-test and recall data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 GMC Yukon ranks 110 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 68 / 100 (Below Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 3 stars |
| Rollover risk | 21.9% |
| Recalls on file | 13 |
| Owner complaints | 289 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 110 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 GMC Yukon?
The 2021 GMC Yukon represents a meaningful step backward in measured safety performance compared to the prior model year. The Safety Index dropped from 76/100 in 2020 to 68/100 in 2021, a 8-point decline that pushed the vehicle from the Average band into Below Average. The primary driver of that decline is the defect record sub-score, which stands at only 2.5 out of a possible 20 points, reflecting the weight of 13 individual recall campaigns accumulated against this model year. Crash protection at 57/70 and avoidance tech at 8.5/10 are comparatively solid, and the 5-star side crash result is genuinely strong. However, the 3-star rollover rating and a 22 percent rollover risk are notable for a tall-body SUV, and forward collision warning being standard while lane departure warning remains only optional limits the avoidance tech ceiling. The combination of a high recall volume and a sharp Index decline makes the 2021 model year stand out negatively within the Yukon lineup, and the defect record score is the single most consequential figure on this page.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 GMC Yukon perform in crash tests?
The 2021 GMC Yukon earned a perfect 5-star side impact rating from NHTSA. Its overall score was 4 out of 5 stars, with the frontal crash test also returning a 4-star rating. Rollover risk is the Yukon's clearest safety concern; it received only 3 out of 5 stars in that category, carrying a 22 percent rollover risk. However, the dynamic tip test did not result in a tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15348
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 GMC Yukon have any recalls?
Yes, the 2021 GMC Yukon carries 13 recall campaigns. Named components include internal engine hard parts, automatic transmission control module software, lighting control module software (with an over-the-air fix available), seat belt critical fasteners, and driveshaft. The seat belt fastener and driveshaft campaigns are the most safety-critical and warrant immediate VIN verification.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL25V274000
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevro
Reported 2025-04-24
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE24V797000
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-80
Reported 2024-10-24
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE22V827000
Risk: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
Reported 2022-11-03
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS22V617000
Risk: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1
Reported 2022-08-11
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT22V036000
Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
Reported 2022-01-27
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE21V739000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.
Reported 2021-09-23
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE21V579000
Risk: Overall braking performance may be compromised, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1202; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212340970.
Reported 2021-07-29
STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE21V455000
Risk: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
Reported 2021-06-17
AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT21V421000
Risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this
Reported 2021-06-10
SEAT BELTS21V190000
Risk: A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.
Reported 2021-03-18
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY21V064000
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212327720.
Reported 2021-02-11
SEAT BELTS20V811000
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Reported 2020-12-23
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 GMC Yukon?
Owners have filed 289 unverified complaints with NHTSA, including alleged reports of 9 crashes and 9 injuries. The most frequently alleged problem area is the Engine, cited in 152 reports, followed by Power Train at 47 and Fuel and Propulsion System at 39. All figures are unverified consumer allegations, not established defects.
289 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 GMC Yukon?
The 2021 GMC Yukon has a significant recall history, with 13 campaigns recorded by NHTSA. Prospective owners should verify the recall status of any specific vehicle by its VIN, particularly given issues such as seat belt fastener and driveshaft concerns. Open recalls are generally repairable at no cost through a franchised dealer.
- The 2021 Yukon's Safety Index fell 8 points from the 2020 model year, dropping from 76/100 Average to 68/100 Below Average, driven almost entirely by the defect record sub-score of 2.5 out of 20.
- Thirteen recall campaigns are on record for this model year, with seat belt critical fasteners and driveshaft integrity among the most safety-consequential; VIN-level verification of remedy completion is critical.
- The rollover rating of 3 out of 5 stars and a 22 percent rollover risk are the weakest crash-test results for this year, contrasting sharply with the 5-star side crash performance.
- Owner-reported complaints total 289 unverified allegations, with Engine components alone accounting for 152 of those reports, making it the single most-cited category by a wide margin for this model year.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 GMC Yukon places
The 2021 GMC Yukon qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 GMC Yukon safety questions
Was the 2021 GMC Yukon crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 GMC Yukon, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 68 out of 100, placing it in the Below Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 GMC Yukon crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 GMC Yukon earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 3 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 21.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 GMC Yukon have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 13 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 GMC Yukon. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 GMC Yukon?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 289 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 GMC Yukon. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Yukon years
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15348), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the GMC Yukon 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 110 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.